KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Last November, Missourians voted in favor of Proposition A, which increased the state’s minimum wage and gives employees earned paid time off. As a house bill that would repeal the earned sick pay portion of the proposition makes its way through the Capitol, several workers rights groups organized rallies across the state, including in Kansas City.
Dozens gathered outside Oddly Correct Coffee at the corner of E 42nd and Troost Thursday afternoon in support of the proposition, including Fran Marion, a fast food worker and leader with the Missouri Workers Center. She says wishes she had paid sick leave while her children were growing up, but is happy her now grown children will soon no longer have to make the difficult decisions she had to. One of her children has a son who had to undergo open heart surgery at just three weeks old.
“If I had paid sick days, I wouldn’t have to worry about how my rents going to get paid, how I’m going to get food on the table, and I would be able to be with my sick child,” said Marion. “With paid sick days going into effect next month, it brings me comfort in knowing that Ray can take time off without losing a paycheck and have to suffer over choosing to keep a roof over their head or being home taking care of my grandson.”
Missouri Jobs with Justice, Missouri Workers Center, Stand Up KC, business owners, workers, and more rallied outside the coffee shop, including owner Mike Schroeder. He shared his shop’s success after raising the wages of workers years ago and encourages other businesses owners who may be unsure to keep an open mind.
“It was a gamble, but it worked,” said Schroeder. “People were happier, they did better work, our customers were happier, we saw a 20% increase in revenue after enacting living wages and paid sick leave.”
After the rally, the group took to the streets, going to businesses in Kansas City and speaking with owners to remind them of the changes coming next month. Employers must provide their employees with written notice of their earned paid sick leave rights by next Tuesday, April 15. Earned paid sick leave takes effect May 1.
This comes as a bill is currently making its way through the state capitol that looks to repeal the paid sick time mandate. House Bill 567 has already passed the House and is currently in the Senate. A lawsuit by Missouri business groups in the state wants the results of Proposition A thrown out.
The state Supreme Court heard oral arguments last month, with those who filed the suit requesting a decision preferably by April 15, but at the latest by May 1.
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